John james kelsoe fitzpatkick



I (No Mode1.)'

J. J. K. FITZPATRICK.

TUBE GUTTER.

No. 642,219. i Patented July 2, 1895.

NiTnD STATES 4ATENT Enron.

JOHN JAMES KELSOE FITZPATRICK, OF KEMP, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO HERMAN STRAUSS, OF SAME PLACE.

TUBE-CUTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters '.Patent No. 542,219, dated uly P, 1895.

Application filed June 19, 1894.

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN JAMES KELsoE FITZPATRICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kemp, in the county of Kaufman and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Tube-Cutter, of which the following is a speeilication.

My invention relates to tube-cutters; and it hasfor its object to provide a simple, inex- Io pensive, and efficient apparatus for use in cutting boiler flues or tubes to facilitate the operation of removing and replacing such tubing.

It is my object, furthermore, to provide means for cutting the tubes, whereby the spreading of the latter is avoided, to enable the tubes to be withdrawn through the holes in the boiler-sheet after the removal of the detached end from such hole.

A further object of my invention' is to provide a tool of compact construction, which may be operated in a limited space, andwhich will be capable of adjustment to tit various sizes of tubes.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof Will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side View of a tube-cutter embodying my invention applied in the operative position to a tube. Fig. 2 is a central sectional view of the cutter. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line 3 3 of Fig.`2. Fig. 4 is a similar View on line4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section to show retracting-spring. Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2, showing the clutch mechanism.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

1 designates a hollow or tubular stock, oomprising the body portion of my improved tube-cutter, and to this stock is removably and slidably fitted a bushing 2, shouldered, as at 3, to tit in the end of the boiler-tube. A portion of a tube is shown'at 4 in Fig. 1. This bushing is interiorly shouldered, as at 5, to engage a corresponding shoulder 6 upon the Serial No. 515,078. (No model.)

exterior surface of the stock to limit the independent movement of these parts in operation.

7 represents a central spindle tted rotarably and slidably in the bore of the hollow stock, and provided at its inner end with a reduced threaded portion or stein 8, which is arranged to engage the hollow or recessed feed-nut 9, secured to the extremity of the stock. l The portion of the spindle adjacent to the threaded portion 8 is tapered or coni- 6o cal, as shown at 10, to engage the inner ends or feet 11 of the cutters or knives 12, which are arranged. radiallyin suitable guides 13 in the stock and are adapted to project at their outer or sharpened ends beyond the outer e surface of the stock to engage the inner surface of a boiler-tube.

The stock being of less diameter than the tube,it is necessary to provide means for preventing vibration of the inner end thereof 7o during operation and at the' same time strengthen the outer portions of the cutters or knives which are beyond the support of the guides 13, and hence to the outer surface of the stock, above the lower plane of the cutters, is keyed a seating-ringY 14, provided in its lower side with radial rest 15, registering with the guides 13, and below the plane of the cutters is arranged a collar 16, secured to the seating-ring by means of screws 17, bearing 8o against the under surface of the cutters and of equal diameter with the reduced portion of the bushing 2, to fit snugly in the bore of the boiler-tube. The feet 11 of the cutters are inclined inwardly or toward the axis of the stock to avoid unnecessary friction with the tapered portion of the spindle, and retraction-springs 18 bear at their inner ends against said feet and at their outer ends against the inner surface of the collar 16 to 9o automatically retract the cutters When the tapered portion of the spindle is disengaged therefrom.

Secured to the outer extremity of the spindle is a handle 19, and connected to the adjacent portion of the stock is an operating-lever 20, by means of a clutch mechanism 21. This clutch may be of any ordinary or Wellknown construction, comprising, for instance,

a collar 22, a ring 23, carrying pawls to engage roo a ratchet 23a, a Washer 2st, and a nut 25, the lever 2O being secured to said ring 23. This t feature forms no part of my invention.

The operation of the improved cutting appliance will be readily understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that by substituting bushings 2 and collars 16 of different sizes tubes of various sizes may be cut with the same tool.

It preferred, Washers or bushing-rings of the ordinary and Well-known construction may be used to adjust the sizes ofthe bushing and collar to fit different tubes.

Spreading or expanding of the tube is avoided by the use of `Iiat plate-cutters or knives, sharpened to an edge and inclined or tapered in plan, as shown in Fig. 4, whereby the pointsof the cutters first engage the surface ofthe tube.

Various changes in the forni, proportionand minor details of construction may be re, sorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention. A

\ Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination with a hollow stock provided with gnides,and adapted to be rotated, of cutters or knives titted in said guides and provided at their inner ends with inclined feet, a seating ring fitted exteriorly upon the stock and provided with radial seats, acollar secured to the seating ring to close the lower sides of the rests, coiled springs arranged in transvere periorations of the stock and bearing at their outer ends against the inner surface of said collar andtheirinnerends against the feet of the cutters, a spindle fitted in the `bore of the stock and having a tapered portion to engage the feet of the cutters, and means forrfeeding the spindle axially in the stock, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with a hollow -stock adapted to be rotated, of a shouldered bushing adjustably mounted upon the stock and having a reduced portion to fit Within the end of a boiler tube, radially slidable cutters mounted in guides near one end of the stock and provided at their inner ends, within the bore of the stock, with inclined feet 11, aseating ring itted exteriorly upon the stock and keyed thereto, the same being provided with radial rests registering with the guides in the stock, a collar secured to the seating ring and closing said rests therein, a-feednut secured to the inner end of the'stock, a spindle fitted in the'bore of the stock, having atapered portion toengage the feet of the cutters and terminating in a threaded portion to engage said feed nut, and retraction-springs arranged in perforations in the stock andbearing against the feet of the cutters to return the same when the tapered portion of` the spindle is disengaged therefrom, the outerends of the perforations in which the springs are seated being covered and closed by said bushing, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim thel foregoing as my own I have hereto atiixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN JAMES KELSOE FITZPATRICK.

Witnesses:

FRANK KAVANAUGH, H. C. STOUT. 

